Los Gatan August 9 2023

LOCAL RESIDENT NAMED OLDEST TO VISIT THE NORTH POLE

Ed Stahl recognized by Guinness World Records team

Drew Penner, Reporter

Last month, the internet lit up with incredible news—Yosemite National Park’s iconic Half Dome had been summited by a 93-year-old man named Everett Kalin from the East Bay.

But Los Gatos is home to its own nonagenarian adventurer, Ed Stahl, who was recently awarded the Guinness World Record for the Oldest Person to Visit the North Pole.

“It’s in an ocean,” Stahl said, relating the delicate dance the icebreaker captain had to perform to help him achieve the feat. “The ice moves around in the ocean, and so you can’t very well say you’re over the North Pole too often. They try to put the boat in the ice so it’ll carry it over the North Pole as it moves.”

Stahl has been fascinated by polar voyages since he was young.

After all, he was born in 1931. Less than a decade had passed since Ernest Shackleton’s fateful final expedition to chilly climes, ending the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

➝ Guinness, 4

throughout

DEVELOPER EYES POST OFFICE SITE FOR FIVE-STORY BUILDING

Project proposes 72 homes, including 20% affordable units

Alia Arafeh, Contributor

On June 2, CSM Investments, LLC revealed its plans to convert the United States Post Office building downtown into a mixed-use development with housing.

This proposal, which is still in the “pre-application” stage, has been met with opposition from some local residents, but recent changes to State housing laws mean it must be fast-tracked, according to the developer.

CSM Investments aims to tear down the current 1960s-vintage structure at 101 ➝ Post office, 8

rankin block p10 : community briefs p12 : upcoming events p14 : ny times crossword puzzle p17

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Campbell resident John Deville and his 5-year-old dog Luna headed up to Pacifica to watch the World Dog Surfing Competition on Saturday. Thousands of people attended the event at Linda Mar State Beach, where dog surfers from

the country competed for charity.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

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VOL.2 NO.49

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RECORD HOLDER Ed Stahl and MarLyn Rasmussen stand at the North Pole marker with a Rotary Club of Los Gatos banner. Stahl was recently awarded the Guinness World Record for the Oldest Person to Visit the North Pole.

STAHL DESCRIBES EXPERIENCE

Guinness, from page 1

It had only been five years since the first scientifically-proven voyage to the North Pole was recorded by Roald Amundsen in the airship Norge.

It would be another 17 years until it can be categorically said men set foot at the site of the actual northern pole, as earlier claims by Frederick Cook, Robert Peary and others have come into question.

As a youth, Stahl was fascinated by the exploits of Shackleton.

“I could read his biography again, and again—and again,” he said. “If you haven’t read it you oughta.”

Stahl would end up making five Antarctic journeys over the decades.

He relished the sublime nature of striking out along Earth’s curvature via lines that had never before been traced by people.

“I realized what the explorers go through when they get into that area of just getting in a place where no other human being has ever been,” he said. “I just can’t really explain it.”

When you go with a group, you spread out so that everyone can have that same feeling, he added.

“Those were in the days when I managed to get into some of the first deals to the Antarctic,” he said, recalling how he built his business, Travel Advisors of Los Gatos at 56 N. Santa

Cruz Ave, which was founded in 1961.

In 2014, Stahl joined the first non-icebreaker passenger ship to cruise through the Northwest Passage.

But one major goal still eluded him—a trip to the place on the globe that children are told Santa Claus makes his home.

So, when he learned Ponant’s liquefied natural gas-powered luxury liner Le Commandant-Charcot was planning to undertake the voyage, he couldn’t help but want to make the trip.

In the summer of 2022, after securing a letter from his doctor confirming his clean bill of health, Stahl set out with his longtime partner MarLyn Rasmussen to meet up with the Étienne Garcia-piloted vessel.

They flew from Paris to Spitsbergen, Norway, where their foray into Arctic waters began.

“It was a brand-new ship, a beautiful ship,” he said of the watercraft which boasts 123 suites, hot tubs, staterooms and private terraces. “That’s what we rode up on.”

Stahl was particularly impressed by the wildlife.

“We had all kind of reindeer; and we had polar bears—and you name it,” he said. “The captain was trying to get out of the way and the polar bears would come up…they were teaching their

young how to feed.”

But Stahl says he wasn’t afraid of the powerful creatures.

“We had plenty of people watching out for us,” he said. “The crew put out a group around the boat.”

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Arctic ice has declined by more than two million square kilometers since 1979, meaning it's now much less risky for tours to venture into ultra-frigid places.

When asked for his reflections on this, Stahl said just because the climate is changing that doesn’t mean there still aren’t risks—as sea ice continues to expand and contract.

“That is a very interesting thing,” he said. “It kind of comes and it goes.”

On Aug. 26, 2022, Captain Garcia managed to maneuver them directly over the North Pole.

“The captain was the most happy person that I’ve ever seen in my life,” Stahl said, adding that’s when they broke out the hors d'oeuvres. “We had a champagne party that wouldn’t quit.”

On the way home, Stahl and Rasmussen stopped by Iceland, where they saw volcanos and visited a blue grotto, which, according to legend, offers Fountain-of-Youth benefits.

“If you take a swim in it you increase your life expectancy by at least 20 years,” he said. “I went in very quickly once.”

When Stahl returned home, he embarked on a new challenge—navigating the paperwork involved in proving a Guinness World Record.

“That’s a pain in the butt,” he said of the hoops he had to jump through, including sharing witness statements and his birth certificate, as well as photo and video evidence. “They need all kinds of information about it to prove that you are the oldest person. And then they finally come to the conclusion that, yes, you are.”

His status as the oldest person to visit the North Pole was confirmed on Sept. 6, 2022 by the company’s Records Management Team.

“Dear Edward Stahl,” the letter began, “We are thrilled to inform you that your application for Oldest Person to Visit the North Pole has been successful and you are now the Guinness World Records Title Holder! …Congratulations, you are Officially Amazing!”

After his record-breaking excursion, Stahl says he’s enjoyed settling back into “very lovely” Los Gatos life.

And he says he isn’t ruling out a mission to outer space.

CULINARY CINEMAS PRESENTS

COUNCIL BRIEFS: TOWN CRACKS DOWN ON PROPERTY OWNER FOR WEEDS

Social host ordinance reviewed

Drew Penner, Reporter

Los Gatos followed through on its plan to fine a property owner for allowing weeds to get out of control, during its Aug. 1 meeting.

Council heard that property owners are charged $92 for an initial inspection.

Delinquents are then charged $92 each year for the following three years, as well.

Councilmember Rob Moore wanted more information about why one particular person was being charged $611.

Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Manager Moe Kumre said if the property isn’t in compliance during the inspection a “work order” has to be generated, which costs around $500. Kumre said it’s to cover the staff time involved with verifying property boundaries, determining the true square footage of the property and making a determination of the work required to bring the site back into compliance.

Vice Mayor Mary Badame wasn’t too happy to hear about the specifics of the offending parcel.

“His property remained non-compliant during peak wildfire season?” Badame asked.

“That is correct,” the manager confirmed.

Undine Tsai did not raise a defense for himself at the meeting.

But he sent the Town and County photos to show the problem has been addressed.

“I have no extra money to pay more taxes as I am already a 68 years old senior,” he wrote. “I have already followed the weed abatement regulation.”

Moore asked if the property owner was notified of the cost of a work order.

Kumre said it’s in paperwork they hand out.

Badame made a motion to move forward with the enforcement fee.

“I cannot make the finding for an exception,” she said. “At stake is potential loss of life and property.”

Councilmember Rob Rennie seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Town tweaking ordinance so underage party hosts don’t slip through the cracks

Los Gatos introduced a social host ordinance amendment in an effort to create more latitude when it comes to holding those who throw parties with underagers accountable.

Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan said in crackdowns on events where alcohol, cannabis or other intoxicants are served to minors, staff has been running into a 10-day deadline.

“Our experience has (shown) that 10 days is not enough time,” she said, noting in two cases the Town didn’t even get the incident report until the 10th day.

“I don’t see why we should unnecessarily handcuff ourselves and make this impossible,” Ristow commented.

No member of the public commented on the item.

Councilmember Matthew Hudes wondered if the ordinance would achieve its aims if investigations are allowed to continue indefinitely.

“Can this be effective if parents aren’t notified until much later?” he asked.

Whelan said the Town still plans to respond to incidents promptly.

“Our intent is to wrap these up as quickly as possible,” she said.

Parks Commission presents plans for keeping Los Gatos green

Parks Commissioner Rob Stephenson gave Council a rundown of what the body he represents has planned for the year ahead.

Top priorities include trail connectivity, ensuring tree cover along roadways, and trying to sort out concerns people have expressed with pickleball play.

“We came up with this at our last meeting,” he said. “We’re working towards these goals over the next year.”

An ad-hoc committee has been looking at GIS overlay maps to understand how Los Gatos’ recreational pathways could be linked to those managed by groups such as the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

And, he added, the commission will likely continue to be busy handling issues with trees in town that crop up— such as ones that need replacement or create hazards for traffic.

Stephenson said he’s tried to keep an open mind about problems people have described with pickleball.

The commission is considering options for dampening the noise made by paddles striking the ball and may restripe a tennis facility at Blossom Hill Park—which is further away from residences than other courts.

Councilmember Rob Rennie, who once sat on the parks commission, suggested current members could undertake a tree survey.

Councilmember Rob Moore acknowledged that not everyone is a fan of pickleball, at least in their neighborhood.

“People love pickleball, and then the neighbors are really upset by this,” he said.

Stephenson agreed that it’s a thorny issue.

“They’re passionate about pickleball,” he said. “It’s hard not to empathize with the homeowners as well.”

Councilmember Matthew Hudes suggested the commission could get involved in the development of a community garden.

“We really do have some momentum,” he said. “I don’t think it’s just a wish at this point.”

Mayor Maria Ristow said she approved of the work plan that Stephenson presented.

Library receives $87K check

The Friends of Los Gatos Library presented the Los Gatos Library with a ceremonial check donation for $87,300 on Aug. 1 for the fiscal year 2022-2023. This donation allows the library to run many of its community programs. The Friends of Los Gatos Library is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing funding for library services. The organization raises funds through grants, donations and bookstore sales.

Showing all Sports &

‘BUILDER’S REMEDY’ NAMED IN PLAN

Post office, from page 1

South Santa Cruz Ave. and replace it with a five-story, 72-condo building. Twenty percent of the units would be affordable to lower-income households and the rest would be market-rate.

The project is just one of several new developments aiming to take advantage of a tool Sacramento introduced not long ago to force communities to generate more housing. Senate Bill 330, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019, declared a statewide housing emergency and shifted the State’s focus on solving the issue by amending the Housing Accountability Act and changing housing regulations.

In its letter to the Town, CSM Investments says explicitly that it will use the “Builder’s Remedy,” a California law brought in through the Housing Accountability Act. It allows projects that include at least 20% lower-income housing or feature 100% moderate-income units to bypass local zoning requirements and avoid some hearings.

“This Project is protected by the pro-

visions of the Housing Accountability Act,” the document reads. “Under SB 330, housing development projects that comply with applicable objective general plan and zoning standards are subject to a maximum of five public hearings prior to final action by the City. The City must consider and either approve or disapprove the project at one of these five hearings, after which no further hearings may be held in connection with project approval.”

In short, if it’s determined a developer’s plan meets the criteria for a Builder’s Remedy project, it’s much easier for it to become a reality—regardless of local opposition.

CSM Investments’ real estate attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

The post office proposal has landed on the desks of Town planners alongside three other similar projects. Meanwhile, Los Gatos has been working to stay in compliance with the Housing Accountability Unit—a division of California’s housing authority, the Department of Housing and Community

Development (HCD), that Newsom created in 2021.

Los Gatos is required to plan for 1,993 additional homes by the year 2031. Through the 2040 General Plan, the Town Council created initiatives to encourage the building of apartments, condos and other housing, and the 101 South Santa Cruz parcel came up frequently during deliberations as a potentially suitable site for new residential units. Many of these were suspended, at least temporarily, via a referendum drive that questioned the amount of upzoning that was approved.

According to news reports, three other Builder’s Remedy projects are still in early stages: Phase 2 of the North 40 development at 14859 Los Gatos Blvd.; 405 Alberto Way; and 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.

As Los Gatos’ population has hovered around 30,000 for the past decade, many residents are worried about the placement of developments and the population increase they will bring.

Members of discussion group Democracy Tent have raised concern about the post office project, arguing it could make traffic in surrounding areas

worse and result in schools that are bursting at the seams with students.

For now, the Town is focused on fulfilling its housing mandates and is awaiting a formal planning application to be submitted before moving forward, Town Manager Laurel Prevetti told the Los Gatan.

“If and when it is submitted, Town staff will analyze it as we do all development proposals,” she said. “The analysis includes any requests to invoke State law. The Town will need to verify that the application meets those State laws, as well as other requirements.”

CORRECTION

The July 12, 2023 article titled “Schwarzenegger visits Saratoga Elementary” incorrectly characterized the person Arnold Schwarzenegger was visiting. His goddaughter was one of the students described in the story and not a teacher. We regret the error.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT? A developer is eyeing the United States Post Office site in downtown Los Gatos for a potential housing project.

POLICE

JULY 30

• A fanny pack was reported stolen on Terreno De Flores Lane.

• A man who was reportedly “banging on the door” told the resident to buy some candy on Winchester Circle at 8:17pm.

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Los Gatos Boulevard and Simons Way at 10:02pm.

JULY 31

• A stolen vehicle was recovered on E. La Chiquita Avenue.

• A man was arrested on a failure to appear charge on the 15900 block of Los Gatos Boulevard at 11:33am.

• A man was arrested for inflicting injury on a cohabitant on the 15800 block of Los Gatos Almaden Road at 1:50pm.

• A man on a scooter was reportedly soliciting at “houses that appear empty” on Bird Avenue and Chester Street at 2:53pm.

• A vehicle was reported stolen on Avery Lane.

• An unknown person reportedly entered the back of a business on Los Gatos Boulevard and took a shower at 4:01pm.

AUG. 1

• A man was reportedly “bathing outside” on Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 11:31am.

• A person in a vehicle reportedly drove by a house on Tait Avenue and threw garbage in front of it at 1:28pm.

• Bicyclists reportedly threw rocks at a vehicle on High School Court at 8:55pm.

AUG. 2

• Mail was reported stolen on Castlewood Drive.

AUG. 3

• Someone smashed a vehicle’s window on Ann Arbor Drive and Wollin Way and stole a bag from inside.

• Golf clubs were reported stolen from a vehicle parked on Frank Court.

AUG. 4

• A man was arrested on a failure to appear charge on the 200 block of Union Avenue at 1:52am.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a narcotic controlled substance on the 1500 block of Pollard Road at 2:17am.

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Oak Rim Court.

• Credit cards were reported stolen on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

• Two men reportedly stole bottles of liquor from a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 2:48pm.

• A vehicle was reportedly vandalized on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

• A man was arrested for battery, obstructing an officer, vandalism and trespassing on the 200 block of E. Main Street at 10:57am.

• Battery was reported on Vista Del Campo at 11:05pm.

AUG. 5

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on Lark Avenue and Garden Hill Drive at 12:48am.

• A wallet was reported stolen on Los Gatos Boulevard.

• A vehicle was reported stolen on Lark Avenue and Highway 17.

• A group of juveniles was reportedly “smashing bottles and throwing napkins” on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at 8:27pm.

Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

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The historic Rankin Block

Alan Feinberg, Contributor

The long-awaited arrival of the Parkside restaurant on the downtown dining scene is the perfect time for a story about the landmark building they’ll be calling home.

The Rankin Block was built in 1902 as income property by Clara and William Rankin who arrived in Los Gatos from Indiana in 1891. It’s a classic example of Mission Revival architecture, with hip-roofed towers, ornamental window mullions, and brick columns, and was described as “an important visual anchor” in the town’s application for a listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Various tenants over the years have included the Chamber of Commerce, the post office, a drug store, a market and a saloon. The Parkside will occupy the former site of the Boulanger bakery.

The Rankins were a prominent family in Los Gatos. According to a Santa Clara County biographical record, William Blackstone Rankin was considered to be “one of the leading capitalists

of Los Gatos who deservedly occupies a position of prominence among her public-spirited and progressive citizens.” Clara was active in the business community and became the first woman elected to full membership in the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

As the son of Judge B.P. Rankin, one of the foremost members of the Santa Clara County Bar, William was expected to follow in his dad’s footsteps. But he preferred viniculture, and chose to pursue his own career in the wine industry, where he was quite successful.

He owned and operated the Glenwood Winery in the Santa Cruz mountains, was manager of the California Wine Association, and was one of the chief stockholders in the Los Gatos Cooperative Winery.

William was known as a heavy smoker who enjoyed as many as a dozen cigars a day. When Clara warned him that so much smoking was bad for his health, he began treatment for his tobacco habit at the Los Gatos offices of the Keeley Cure Institute on E. Main Street. Dr. Lester Keeley was among the first wave of doctors to popularize the view that addiction was a disease which could be cured with a simple medical solution.

Although his miracle cure was dismissed as dangerous and potentially deadly quackery, and he was stripped of his license to practice medicine, thousands of patients testified to the success of Dr. Keeley’s “double chloride of gold” concoction. After only 36 hours of treatment, William said that tobacco had lost its attraction. But he still smoked a little, since he worried that “a sudden absence of the stimulant might cause injury to the system.”

William’s death from “complications of the liver” at age 59 in 1907, “came as a great shock to Los Gatos,” according to newspaper accounts. A few years after his death, Clara sold the Rankin Block to a contractor and subsequently moved to San Francisco where she died in 1917. After suffering extensive damage in the Loma Prieta earthquake, the landmark property was restored in 1991. The Rankins would undoubtedly be proud to see that their namesake property looks very much the same today as it did when it was first completed 120 years ago.

As a side note, I haven’t been able to establish any family connection between William and Clara Rankin and the much beloved elementary school teacher Dora Mae Rankin (1887-1979) whose donation of an elaborate sterling silver set is prominently displayed at NUMU.

Content and photos from “Discover LOST Gatos” historical walking tours by Alan Feinberg, Peggy ConawayBergtold and Sandy Decker. Download the free mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact us at discoverLOSTgatos@gmail.com.

EARLY DAYS The Rankin Block in 1904, showing the original ornamentation and window treatments.

Discover LOST Gatos

HISTORIC SCENE The Rankin Block (upper right) in 1909 when the current Town Plaza was a railroad yard and parade ground.

Discover LOST Gatos

LOCAL SCENE

COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

The Town of Los Gatos is seeking applications for the Community Innovation Grant program.

The Town is offering four grants of $1,500 each to kick-start grassroots ideas that would benefit schools, neighborhoods or community. Town officials listed examples of past projects, which have included developing neighborhood communication tools for wildfire preparedness, creating a platform for connecting excess household items to people and organizations that could use them, attempting new methods to reduce plastic waste in community spaces, dance programs for people with visual and hearing impairments, and public speaking workshops for elementary school students.

The application period for individual community members and students closes on Sept. 4 at 5pm. Applicants must be Los Gatos residents, or students attending a school in Los Gatos. ➝ losgatosca.gov/318/CommunityGrant-Programs.

TOWN WARNS OF SHIFTING PAVEMENT ON SHANNON ROAD

A recent shifting of pavement along Shannon Road near Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive could create a hazard for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, town officials warned.

Residents may have noticed electronic message boards along Shannon Road advising users of “Uneven Pavement Use Caution.”

The shifting of pavement occurred in the westbound lane. While town engineers do not believe that failure of the road is imminent, the increasing unevenness of the pavement creates a potential hazard.

Staff is working on additional precautions and the public will see those implemented in the next few weeks, according to town officials.

Design of a permanent repair is scheduled to be finalized in September with construction expected later this year depending on the weather.

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN MEETING SET IN LOS GATOS

A public outreach meeting for the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be held Aug. 30 from 6-7:30pm at the Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road.

Cal Fire awarded a $250,000 grant to Santa Clara County FireSafe Council to lead the 2022-2023 Community Wildfire Protection Plan update. The council assembled a management team comprised of county agencies and a management advisory committee with more than 70 representatives from across the county, with expertise in fuels management, technology, utilities, staff of elected officials, previous CWPP planning, and various other groups to help guide the process and provide input into the development of the plan.

By having this strategic plan for all local agencies, they are able to prioritize forest health projects, shaded fuel breaks, escape routes and public education campaigns. The CWPP

aims to further wildfire preparedness initiatives throughout the county, and provide support for residents seeking resources to be better prepared for wildfire.

➝ sccfiresafe.org/cwpp.

UNSECURED PROPERTY TAXES ARE DUE AUG. 31

The County of Santa Clara’s Department of Tax and Collections has mailed out the 2023-2024 unsecured annual property tax bills to all property owners at the addresses shown on the tax roll. The property tax payment is due on Aug. 31.

Unsecured properties are those not secured by real estate, such as land. Some examples of unsecured property include (but are not limited to) boats and jet skis, aircraft, business machinery or business furniture.

Property owners who have not received a bill by Aug. 4 are urged to call the Tax Information line at 408.808.7900 to request a copy of the

Annual Unsecured Property Tax Bill. Property tax bills are also available online at sccdtac.org.

Unpaid property taxes will become delinquent if not paid by 5pm on Aug. 31. At that time, a 10% penalty and a $50 collection fee will be added to the unpaid balance.

The collection of property taxes is critical for the ongoing support of various essential services, such as public health, fire protection, education, parks and law enforcement, county officials stated in a press release.

Property owners should mail tax payments along with the tax bill coupon using the return envelope provided to: Department of Tax and Collections, 70 W. Hedding St., San José, CA 95110.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark must be Aug. 31, or earlier, to avoid penalties. Keep in mind that the USPS postmarks mail depending on the type of postage used and may not postmark mail on the same day it was deposited in a mailbox.

➝ sccdtac.org or call 408.808.7902.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES Justin Dawe (left), CEO of Earth Force Technologies, leads a tour of a forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains recently to demonstrate new wildfire prevention techniques. A public outreach meeting for the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be held Aug. 30 at the Los Gatos Lodge.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan file

CALENDAR

For more events, visit the online calendar at losgatan.com/events-calendar

JAZZ ON THE PLAZZ

Los Gatos Music and Arts presents Jazz on the Plazz Wednesdays through Aug. 23 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Los Gatos Town Plaza. The schedule is as follows: Aug. 9: Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi. Aug. 16: Tiffany Austin with Full Spectrum Jazz. Aug. 23: David Benoit. ➝ jazzontheplazz.com.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Since 1988, Music in the Park has been a free public summer concert series held on Sunday afternoons, from 5-7pm on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn, 110 E Main St. This year’s lineup is as follows: Aug. 13: Ruth Gerson. Aug. 20: Tortilla Soup. Aug. 27: Andre Thierry. ➝ LosGatosCA.gov/MIP.

FOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH

Dr. Ulka Agarwal, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist and plant-based nutrition researcher who studies the effects of food on health and wellness, will discuss how plantbased nutrition affects depression and mental well-being on Aug. 10 from 5-6pm at the Los Gatos Library Tech Lab, 100 Villa Ave.

DRUMMING AND STORYTELLING SHOWCASE

To celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day and to promote inclusion, equity, transformative action and unity throughout Los Gatos, San Jose and the Bay Area, AWỌ is bringing back the HUEmanity Salons Series program titled “Drums of the World” on Aug. 27. Scheduled workshops include making musical percussion instruments, drum playing and use of traditional African fabrics for collage creations. “Drums in the World” will be Aug. 27 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos from 1-4pm. Those interested in attending can register for free at ti-

nyurl.com/2x2ryus5. For information, email askawo@awocenter.org or call 408.601.0364.

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN MEETING

A public outreach meeting for the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be held Aug. 30 from 6-7:30pm at the Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. By having this strategic plan for all local agencies, they are able to prioritize forest health projects, shaded fuel breaks, escape routes, and public education campaigns. The CWPP aims to further wildfire preparedness initiatives throughout the county, and provide support for residents seeking resources to be better prepared for wildfire.

➝ sccfiresafe.org/cwpp.

LIVE JAZZ MUSIC

Live jazz performances at the Tasting House, 368 Village Lane, take place Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9pm, and Sundays from 11am-2pm.

ENTERTAINMENT AT GARDINO’S

Gardino’s, 51 N. Santa Cruz Ave., features entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, along with Sunday afternoons.

➝ bit.ly/3OSvPHS.

ONGOING

Los Gatos Farmers Market

The Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara Coun -

ty year-round. More than 40 local farmers and food producers sell their wares Sundays from 9am to 1pm at Town Park Plaza on Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market.

Campbell Farmers Market

The Downtown Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm.

➝ uvfm.org/campbell-sundays.

The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos

The club meets the first three Thursdays of the month at noon at Double D's, 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave. First two Thursdays of the month feature guest speakers.

➝ lgkiwanisgives.org.

Rotary Club of Los Gatos

The Rotary Club of Los Gatos meets Tuesdays from noon to 1:30pm at Shir Hadash Synagogue, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane.

➝ losgatosrotary.org.

The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club

The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers. Los Gatos Lions Club

The Los Gatos Lions Club meets every Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946.

Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore

The Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-6pm at the library, 110 E. Main St. For information, email friendsoflglib@aol.com.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Town Council

The Los Gatos Town Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

➝ losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council.

GOOD TIMES The free Jazz on the Plazz series continues through Aug. 23 at the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan file

HORTICULTURE SHOULD BE SUSTAINABLE

Tony Tomeo, Contributor

There is no doubt about it: weeds are sustainable. Otherwise, they would not be weeds. By definition, they grow where they are undesirable. Less sustainable vegetation should be less invasive. Also, it should be less resistant to eradication than most familiar weeds are. Unfortunately, also by definition, weeds are undesirable. They can not become fads.

Sustainable horticulture is a fad, though. Unlike most fads, it is actually quite sensible. In theory, it is horticulture that requires as minimal intervention as possible. It excludes that which requires intensive or impractical cultivation. For example, native species that grow wild are sustainable. Tropical species that may survive only within greenhouses are not.

A problem with the sustainability fad is its marketability. “Sustainable” and “Sustainability” have become cliche buzzwords. They too often describe merchandise that is contrary to the fad. Realistically, genuine sustainability is unsustainable within profitable marketing. Truly sustainable merchandise would eliminate most of the need to ever purchase more.

Modern cultivars can qualify as “new and improved” as they first become available. They are certainly new. However, their improvements may be questionable. Hybridization and extensive breeding can cause genetic deficiency. Even natural variegation compromises vigor. Seed is not true to type. Most aesthetic improvements are contrary to sustainability.

Native species are technically sustainable. Once established, they might survive without irrigation or other attention. Unfortunately though, some are not very adaptable to refined home gardens. Some are vulnerable to rot if nearby vegetation needs frequent irrigation. Some perform vigorously only for a few years. Several species are innately combustible.

Ironically, several of the most passe and old fashioned species are the most sustainable. That is why some of them became passe. Lily of the Nile can survive indefinitely. If it gets overgrown, it is easy to divide and relocate. It may be available for free from neighbors or friends. African

REAL ESTATE HOME OF THE WEEK

iris, New Zealand flax, bergenia, most aloe and many yucca are similarly sustainable. Highlight: cardinal flower

This warm season annual is actually a biennial. Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, may stay relatively short for its first summer. It might bloom four feet high for its second or third summer. By then, pups are easy to divide as new plants to replace the old. Most cardinal flower plants from nurseries are rather mature. They might grow tall for their first summer.

Common cardinal flower has rich cardinal red bloom and bright green foliage. “Alba” has white bloom. “Rosea” has pink bloom. “Queen Victoria” has familiar rich red bloom above deeply bronzed foliage. Individual flowers are only an inch-and-a-half from top to bottom, but are numerous. Basal leaves can be almost six inches long. Upper leaves are shorter.

Cardinal flower enjoys richly organic soil with regular irrigation. It dislikes getting too dry. It appreciates a bit of partial shade as the weather gets warmest after noon. Seed is easy to collect. However, seed from fancy cultivars is not necessarily true to type. Subsequent generations eventually revert to familiar rich cardinal red bloom and bright green foliage.

WATERFRONT VIEWS

This waterfront property overlooks Lexington Reservoir.

Located at 19890 Old Santa Cruz Highway in Los Gatos, the 4,634-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The kitchen is equipped with a Viking stove and Sub Zero refrigerator, many cabinets and a large island. The dining room features room for a table that can seat 14.

The primary suite has an office, jacuzzi tub and separate shower, walk-in closet and a balcony that overlooks the reservoir. The home’s theater is outfitted with a custom Marvel paint job, large screen, projector and surround speakers.

The home, built in 1998, is listed at $3,989,000 by Intero Real Estate Services. For information, visit tinyurl. com/4y6fzz69.

OLD SANTA CRUZ HIGHWAY This Los Gatos home is located near the Lexington Reservoir.

INSIDE The family room has high ceilings, a stove and a slider to the rear deck.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

SURVIVOR Lily of the Nile is an example of a sustainable plant.

Contributed